Detroit 6, Atlanta 3

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- Detroit Tigers right-hander Jason Johnson
expects to be ready to start opening day despite leaving
Wednesday's game after two innings because of a blister on his
right middle finger.

Johnson, making his final spring start, gave up two hits and one
run in two innings in Detroit's 6-3 win over Atlanta, which snapped
the Braves' five-game winning streak.

The blister, which formed underneath a callus on the tip of his
finger, opened up in the first inning.

"If this was Monday, I would've kept pitching," he said. "But
it's spring training, so why keep pitching it with it? That's why I
came out. I'll be ready for Monday."

Johnson said he's had trouble with the callus before but it's
never forced him to miss a start.

"It's been there for almost three years," he said. "It cracks
open once in a while."

Tiger manager Alan Trammell said Johnson was taken out for
precautionary reasons.

"We just didn't want to take any chances. He'll be fine,"
Trammell said.

Game notes

The Tigers optioned LHP Eric Eckenstahler to Triple-A
Toledo and reassigned infielder Jason Smith and outfielder Andres
Torres to their minor league camp Wednesday. ... Trammell said
reliever Ugueth Urbina, who signed last week, has agreed to be
optioned to the minor league camp and pitch in a few games with
Class A Lakeland of the Florida State League next week before
joining the Tigers. ... Wright, who will make his first
regular-season start on Saturday, April 10, will pitch Monday at
the Braves' minor league complex in what Cox called "a makeshift
game."